The AI industry is funding political campaigns to elect moderate Democrats.
Leading the Future raised $75 million and spent millions in primaries.
A top VoteVets adviser also works for the AI group.
What happened
Max Rose, a former Democratic congressman and top adviser to the veterans' group VoteVets, also advises Leading the Future, an AI industry-backed organization launched in 2025. The group has raised $75 million and spent heavily in Democratic primaries, including nearly $8 million to defeat Alex Bores, an AI safety advocate, in New York's 12th District.
Why it matters
This dual role means the AI industry can influence Democratic primaries through a prominent veterans' group, often without public disclosure. Rose's op-eds and TV appearances did not mention his ties to the AI lobby, raising concerns about hidden corporate influence in politics.
What to watch
VoteVets and Leading the Future have not yet backed the same candidate, but both share billionaire donors with financial stakes in AI, such as Stephen Mandel, who invests heavily in data centers. Further alignment could signal more coordinated spending in future races.
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The overlap between the AI industry's political spending and the Democratic establishment is notable. VoteVets, a respected veterans' group, has amassed $20 million for this cycle, and its advisers hold simultaneous roles in AI lobbying. This mirrors the crypto industry's playbook, where massive spending defeated Senator Sherrod Brown in 2024. The lack of disclosure in Rose's public commentary suggests voters may not know the full backing behind certain candidates. Rose's shift from skepticism about AI to advocacy reflects a broader realignment as the industry seeks to shape policy. The potential for further collaboration between VoteVets and Leading the Future could intensify, given shared donors and interests.
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